Microsoft’s Big Game Gamble 2006
Distributed by Films Media Group, PO Box 2053, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-2053; 800-257-5126
Produced by Charles Miller
Directed by Charles Miller
DVD, color, 29 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Business, Management, Computer Industry
Date Entered: 10/26/2007
Reviewed by Michael J. Coffta, Business Librarian, Bloomsburg University of PennsylvaniaAfter its failed attempt to wrest market share away from Sony’s Playstation 2 with its original X-Box video game console, Microsoft has persisted in its venture into the home video game market by launching its X-Box 360. The new X-Box 360 has a sleeker appearance, more capabilities for communication among gamers, and powerful high definition graphics.
More than just a “show and tell” session for the X-Box 360, Microsoft’s Big Game Gamble closely examines the marketing, production, and pre-release media conventions. It discusses Microsoft’s pricing and attempts to target new markets, namely women. In the end, Microsoft’s production of the new console fell behind schedule and a limited number of games were released in conjunction with the unveiling of the X-Box 360. Furthermore, one questions if game designers will produce truly revolutionary games that take full advantage of X-Box 360’s strengths and not merely rehash pre-existing games with better graphics.
Microsoft’s Big Game Gamble is a fine documentary that allows the audience deep into the world of the video game industry. Its timeliness, however, is a concern, as the surprising success of the Nintendo Wii game system is not mentioned. Nevertheless, this documentary is highly recommended for its detailed analysis of the X-Box 360 rollout and its value as an enduring work on the video gaming world and its evolution.